Shiv Sena plans to have single Union for film industry

Hoping to increase its hold over the fast-growing Marathi film industry and Bollywood, the Shiv Sena plans to restructure existing unions in the Marathi film industry and Bollywood, close smaller ones and keep one umbrella organisation — the Bharatiya Chitrapat Sena to run the show.

This is also being done to counter Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray who is perceived to be closer to actors just like his uncle and late Sena chief Bal Thackeray was.

Sena sources said a new head and a new structure would be put in place to plan agitations for stage workers and technicians’ wages, fight issues such as banning Pakistani artistes, etc. This way they can indirectly stake claim to the cause of the Marathi film industry helping further the Marathi cause.

“The several wings floating around were causing problems and were not in sync. The discrepancies were growing and giving rise to conflict between their heads. There were separate unions for backstage actors and for cine workers, which will now be merged. This will also help us give a tough fight to other political parties trying to increase influence over such organisations,” a senior Sena leader said.

Sena leader and Marathi actor and director Aadesh Bandekar is tipped to be heading the union, and will help the Sena chart out its plans in the field of cinema. Bandekar, however, said he was not aware of his appointment.

“There are many small organisations in the Sena and there was need to form a single group and fight for everyone under one umbrella,” said Bandekar.